BRIDGEVIEW, IL - The Chicago Fire (2-0-1, 7 pts.) travel to Texas to play defending 2006 MLS Cup Champion Houston Dynamo (1-1-1, 4 pts.) this Sunday, April 29, (6:00 p.m. CT, Comcast SportsNet) at Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston. The Fire are riding a three-game unbeaten run, the club's latest 2-1 victory over Kansas City giving the Chicago side a share of first place in the east with seven points (T-New York). Meanwhile the Dynamo are looking to bounce back after a 1-0 loss at the Red Bulls on Saturday, with Houston currently tied for third place in the west (T-Colorado) with four points. In reverence for the tragedy at Virginia Tech University, the Dynamo will don the school's colors with an MLS-approved maroon jersey, white short, and orange socks combination.
Fire History vs. Dynamo
Sunday's match-up in Houston marks the Fire's second ever appearance at Robertson Stadium and the third ever meeting during the MLS regular season. Chicago's previous road clash against the Dynamo occurred on May 20, 2006 when the Fire downed Houston 1-0 off a brilliant Thiago strike at Robertson Stadium in the 50th minute. The Dynamo returned on August 30, 2006 and saw a wonder-goal from Houston midfielder Dwayne De Rosario as he beat Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton from the half-line in the 59th minute for a 2-1 score, but a 75th minute penalty kick from Chicago's forward Andy Herron knotted the game for an eventual 2-2 result.
Fire Plays UIC Flames Wednesday in Charity Exhibition
In an effort to benefit the Chicago SCORES after-school program, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire, the FireWorks for Kids Foundation (FWFK), and the University of Illinois - Chicago (UIC) Flames will host the "Men in Red" in a charity exhibition on Wednesday, April 25. Kick-off for the benefit game is set for 7:30 p.m. CT at the home for the UIC men's soccer team, Flames Field, located at 901 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Chicago. Tickets for the match are $10 in advance and $12 day of the game, with all seating sold as General Admission. Proceeds from the game will benefit Chicago SCORES and the UIC men's soccer program. Tickets can be purchased through Chicago SCORES by calling 773-522-5500. About Chicago SCORES - Chicago SCORES is an intensive after-school program which seeks to enrich the lives of urban youth through self and community exploration using soccer and poetry as tools. Chicago SCORES strives to help kids score goals on the field and achieve goals in the classroom.
Fire Reserves - Wizards Reserves Draw 1-1 on Sunday
The Chicago Fire Reserves had to settle for a 1-1 tie against the Kansas City Wizards Reserves in an MLS Reserve Division contest Sunday at TOYOTA PARK, bringing the Reserves record to 0-1-1 on the season. Newly-signed youth international defender Osei Telesford provided the Fire's lone goal after finishing off a back-heel assist from forward Calen Carr past Kansas City goalkeeper Eric Kronberg. A handball in the box was called against the "Men in Red" in the second half, giving Wizards' Ryan Pore the game-tying penalty kick goal past Fire netminder Jon Busch. The Chicago reserve side will see its next action on Sunday, May 6, when it takes on the New England Revolution Reserves as the second of a two-game doubleheader at Gillette Stadium at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Fire Players Around the Town
Fans of the Fire should be on lookout as members of the "Men in Red" make public appearances around the Chicagoland this week. On Tuesday, April 24, defender Jordan Russolillo and goalkeeper Nick Noble will partner up at St. Rene School from 1:00-2:05 p.m. CT, located at 63040 South New England in Chicago, Ill. Fire forward Floyd Franks and Bakary Soumare will be at Glen Oaks School on Thursday, April 26, at 9045 South 88th street in Hickory Hills, Ill. from 1:15-2:15 p.m. CT. On Saturday, April 28, Russolillo will be available from 2:00-3:30 p.m. CT as he poses for the AYSO 418 Photo Day, located at the soccer fields of Lawrence and Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Ill.
Fire Sign Two to Developmental Roster
Chicago Fire Soccer announced last week the signing of two new players to the team's developmental roster. On Friday the club signed longtime trialist and 20-year-old defender Eric Hort, a Sparta Prague Reserves product, to a one-year developmental contract. Fire defender Mike Banner, a third round pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft out of SIU-Edwardsville, was also signed to a developmental contract placing him on the team's 28-man roster.
